“The church was built in the 1680s when Wren was experimenting with domes for St Paul’s Cathedral. St Mary’s is thus four walls supporting a dome…There are no columns and no aisles, and the dome is carried on eight modest arches.”

“The interior is the most remarkable in the City in the majesty it conjures from a limited space…The 17th century Schmidt organ adorns the west gallery, the only such organ still in place. It should be in continuous use, trumpeting the glories of this place to the passing bankers and clerks.”

“This is regarded as Wren’s most brilliant City church. Like Baroque churches in Rome, the structure is constrained by a small site and the need to squeeze formal classical proportions into the dimensions of a medieval city…The interior is one of London’s most perfect spaces, marrying Roman dome, possibly the first in England, to a traditional Protestant preaching house.”

“All eyes turn upwards, to the only complete fan vault on a parish church in England (other than such monastic survivors as Sherborne or Bath). Whether Wren was adapting a lavish pre-Fire vault or designing afresh is not known. Either way, the result is remarkable.”